There’s a new resource to help the military community fight fraud.
AARP recently launched the AARP Veterans Fraud Center, a free online education and resource site to help protect veterans, service members, and their families against fraud.
“It’s a one-stop-shop where you can find everything you need to help protect you and fight back against these scammers who are targeting veterans,” explained Troy Broussard, senior advisor, AARP Veterans, and Military Families Initiative and U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran.
An AARP survey found one in three military/veteran adults reported losing money to scams that are specifically trying to take advantage of the trust they have in the military community.
“Active duty service members and their families are nearly 40 percent more likely to lose money to scams and fraud than our civilian population,” said Broussard.
Top scams aimed at veterans include:
- Benefit Buyouts: Turning over Department of Veterans Affairs pension and/or disability benefits for a supposed lump-sum payment that never materializes.
- Fraudulent records scam: Paying for updated personal military records
- The fake charitable giving request: Donating to fake veteran charities.
Related
Scammers took in more than $267 million in 2021, up from $102 million in 2020, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
“Targeting scams at members of the military community is unconscionable,” added Broussard. “The AARP Veterans Fraud Center is designed to alert veterans and their families about the latest scams and how to avoid them.”
The fraud center notifies users of current scams taking place where they are and even includes a nationwide scam tracking map.
“We want to equip veterans, military and their families with resources so they can be aware of scams,” he said.
Related
Broussard also urged members of the military community to sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry; use a robocall blocking service and put a security freeze on their credit reports.
“Veterans never have to pay for their service records or earned benefits,” stressed Broussard. “If you’re told otherwise, it’s a scam.”
You should also have what Broussard calls your “no script” ready when receiving an unsolicited call from a charity. He said if you can not quickly determine it is a genuine call to say no and hang up.
AARP will host a webinar on May 12 at 3 p.m. ET with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Postal Inspection Service about top scams targeting veterans.
Related
To learn more about the AARP Veterans Fraud Center and to download a free copy of the new Watchdog Alert Handbook: Veterans’ Edition, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.